One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

5/30/2013

Detroit Lions sign Montell Owens to boost special teams

Montell Owens was signed by the Detroit Lions Thursday, just two weeks after he was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He’s a running back, but excels at special teams play.

Owens set the Jaguars franchise record last season for career special teams tackles with 118 and has tied the franchise record for most special teams tackles in a season at 30.

He spent the last seven seasons in Jacksonville after they signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent out of the University of Maine in 2006.

It is no coincidence that last season his special teams coach was John Bonamego who now holds that same position with the Lions.

Owens has done a little return work, but he specializes in coverage. In 2010 and 2011 he went to the Pro Bowl for his special teams play.

Kassim Osgood, who played special teams for the Lions last season, was not re-signed.

How about Chris Greenwood, Bill Bentley or Jonte Green who were drafted in 2012?

Maybe, maybe, maybe.

However, during the OTAs (organized team activities) Ron Bartell has been the guy opposite Houston. That doesn’t mean he will start, but he’s getting a good, early look

The 31-year-old Bartell was signed last Dec. 17 to help out due to so many cornerback injuries.

“I thought he played well at the end of the year,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said. “We played the Bears in the last game of the season. They tested him early and he did a good job defending those balls.

“He’s got great size (6-foot-1, 210), he’s got some experience, he’s got a lot of experience. He’s got great size and he’s right in the mix with the other guys,’’ Schwartz said.

Bartell played seven seasons with the St. Louis Rams. Then last season with the Oakland Raiders before he was released on Dec. 10.

“He’s a veteran player and he’s seen a lot of different things, played a lot of different schemes so he’s a quicker study and getting up to speed whereas the rookies everything is new to them,’’ Schwartz said.

Slay has yet to participate in OTAs because he’s recovering from minor knee surgery.

Bentley had earned the start out of training camp last summer, but a shoulder injury ended his season early.

Green played more than Bentley or Greenwood and certainly got off to a good start for a rookie.

Greenwood didn’t play a snap after he was injured during OTAs a year ago. He’s a mystery man at this point.

Replay of live chat on Detroit Lions

Had a great chat today with tons of good questions. We talked Ron Bartell, Ziggy Ansah, Jim Schwartz, Mike Thomas, Darius Slay, Louis Delmas, Larry Warford, Montell Owens, John Wendling (twice) and much more ... Check it out here. And join me at 3 p.m. next Thursday (June 6) for the next chat.

Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh says long-term extension not priority, but would like to stay in Detroit

ALLEN PARK — Ndamukong Suh restructured his contract in March to give the Detroit Lions a little more salary cap wiggle room. The defensive tackle has two years remaining on his rookie deal.

He said on Wednesday he’s really not looking far enough ahead to think about a long-term extension at this point.

“I’m two years away from even considering those things but to be honest I’d love to be here in Detroit,’’ Suh said. “It’s a team and it’s an organization that I love being a part of and playing for.

“... It was fun this past Thursday being able to hang out somewhat with our owner at a Red Wings game,’’ Suh said. “It’s fun to be around and have that charisma in this city. If the opportunity is there I’m definitely looking at — I have a house here, that tells you enough right there.’’

Suh was at Game 5 between the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks and rode the Zamboni during one of the intermissions wearing a Red Wings jersey.

“It was a great experience, it was my first time,’’ Suh said of his Zamboni ride. (Photo from Suh’s Twitter feed with him posing with Wings' Al Sobotka and octopus.)

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book, “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Detroit Lions make 5 roster and coaching moves on Tuesday

With the Detroit Lions, the roster is always fluid. Here are five moves, including an addition to the coaching staff, made on Tuesday:

1. The Lions were awarded quarterback Thaddeus Lewis off waivers from Cleveland. Lewis had one start last season and was 22 of 32 for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Lions have Shaun Hill as a backup but he’s coming off foot surgery and last week at OTAs had his left foot in an orthopedic boot. Kellen Moore was the third quarterback last season. Perhaps Lewis will push Moore and rookie Alex Carder (Western Michigan) for that third spot.

2. Jeff Backus will return but in a coaching role of sorts. Backus will serve as a part-time coaching intern. He’ll work with offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn to help develop the young line especially Riley Reiff, Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard at the tackle position.

3. Spencer Nealy, an undrafted defensive lineman, was signed. He played at Texas A&M at both defensive end and tackle.

4. Robert Maci, an undrafted defensive end out of Purdue (Cliff Avril’s alma mater), was signed.

Detroit Lions: Jeff Backus to help coach offensive line

When Jeff Backus’ retirement was announced in March, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand said the team wanted to keep the door open for the long-time left tackle.

On Tuesday they announced that Backus will serve as a part-time coaching intern this season helping with the offensive line.

It’s a move that could pay big benefits because the Lions don’t have a veteran tackle on the roster.

Riley Reiff is expected to start at left tackle, but he had just one start in his rookie season last year. Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard are expected to battle it out for the right tackle position. Both are lacking game-day experience.

Backus helped out Reiff last season and with this move he can continue to share his 12 seasons of experience.

Backus will help out offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn who will be in his first season in charge of the line after serving as an assistant for four seasons. Also Terry Heffernan has been hired as the offensive line assistant coach after working the same position for the last six seasons at Wayne State.

The 27-year-old Palmer has something neither of them do — experience. He played in all 16 games each of the last three seasons. And in that span he has seven starts at linebacker including two in 2012.

He loves special teams and even when he started was able to contribute. He understands if he wins the starting position, he might not see as much time on special teams.

For now Palmer is helping the youngsters.

“It’s like I was, I was one of them and I wanted to be up there with the big guys, I wanted to start,’’ Palmer said. “I’m considered a vet, it’s different because I have young guys pushing me, I’m doing a lot more teaching now.’’

Palmer was originally claimed off waivers by the Lions in February 2010. He had been waived two days earlier by the Buffalo Bills who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of MIssissippi in 2009.

Detroit Lions: Reggie Bush, Matthew Stafford and more from OTAs

The Detroit Lions’ OTA (organized team activity) session on Wednesday was open to the media. Here are five of the more interesting quotes from players and coach Jim Schwartz:

1. Matthew Stafford on going from 41st to 76th this year on the NFL Network’s top 100 NFL players list: “I don’t need that to motivate me, honestly. It’s not a big deal to me.’’

2. Reggie Bush on moving to Detroit from Miami: “I came here to work, I didn’t come here to vacation. I came here to win championships and win football games. And that’s what I look forward to doing.’’

3. Safety Glover Quin on what he sees from new teammates: “Oh yeah, definitely a chip on the shoulder. Guys are hungry, guys are ready to go, guys are working hard each and every day. That’s a good thing. Coming off a season like last year, this is where it starts.’’

4. Coach Jim Schwartz on absence of Louis Delmas from OTAs: “He’s not here right now, going through this stuff, but there’s nothing that he could get out of this because he can’t physically do the stuff that we’re doing right now.’’

5. Reggie Bush on his welcome by Lions’ fans: “The reception has been great so far, like you said, I had a steak named after me already. ... It’s been a really neat experience. The reception has been second to none and, like I said, I look forward to getting into that stadium as soon as possible.’’ (Follow @ReggieBush on Twitter. He has 2.8 million followers.)

ALLEN PARK — After Chicago's Brian Urlacher announced his retirement on Wednesday, the Lions had nothing but good things to say about the Bears’ long-time middle linebacker.

— Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch said: “I played against him numerous times, I would clown around with him before and after the game. phenomenal player. You speak about a guy who came out of New Mexico as a safety and moved to middle linebacker and dominated the position for so many years. Eight-time Pro Bowler, 13-year pro, a guy I looked up to, a magnificent athlete. The game is definitely going to be different without him. ... He definitely made his mark in the NFL.’’

— Coach Jim Schwartz said: “A great player in the NFL. You know, he was a really good competitor. He was a guy that you respected from a coaching standpoint because of what he could do on the field. I know he was respected by players and among his peers. Different kind of linebacker, you know? There are not many guys who are 6-4 playing middle linebacker. It’s generally a position that shorter guys have had a lot more success, guys like Mike Singletary, who probably wasn’t six-feet tall, Ray Lewis about the same way. But Urlacher, in a lot of ways, changed the position. His range at the middle linebacker position, the speed that he played with, he was super fast. The guy played free safety in college, had a long career, was a turnover machine. You were always worried about him and where he was on the field, the turnovers he could create, the way he could change a game. He was good for the NFL. He was good for the game of football and it’s been a great career for him.”

Urlacher’s knees started slowing him down in 2009. He could find no home as a free agent this offseason.

He left the game quietly (like Lions left tackle Jeff Backus), issuing this statement: “I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance of passion that is up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear. I will miss this great game, but I leave it with no regrets."

Check out replay of Thursday's Lions' live chat

Here's a replay of today's live chat on the Lions who are in their first week of OTAs (organized team activities). We hit on all different topics from rookies to Reggie Bush to the coaching staff changes. Check it out. We'll do it again next Thursday at 3 p.m. Until then, Tweet me questions @PaulaPasche.

This has not been lost on the man better known as Megatron. He knows that having Bush line up on the Lions’ offense will force opposing defensive coordinators to pay attention.

“It’s going to force them to bring another man down, more than we had last year,’’ Johnson said on Monday. “You know, if you don’t, Reggie can make you look foolish in the open field.”

When Bush signed with the Lions in March, he said the Lions didn’t need to show him more than one film clip of how defenses line up when they have to keep an eye on Johnson.

After he signed, Bush said: “It’s a running back’s dream. It’s the first thing we talked about when we’re watching film and to see those safeties deep and to see the safeties rolling over, double-coveraging Calvin Johnson, it’s a running back’s dream.

“We have to be able to run the ball in the situation and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here to be able to bring a balanced attack and help take some of the pressure off Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford and just complement them. I think it’s going to work out well.’’

The two will practice together as OTAs start on Tuesday. They’ll get a better feel for the offense during mandatory minicamp June 11-13.

Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson prays for Titus Young

Calvin Johnson said on Monday that he is praying for Titus Youngwho is jailed in California after a number of recent arrests.

“It’s very tough. We were talking earlier, man, it’s just one of those things that we pray that he can get his off the field situation straight so then he can move forward with his life,’’ Johnson said.

Young was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft. Even though Johnson is the NFL’s top receiver, Young could never seem comfortable in the role of No. 2.

The wide receiver became a distraction last season and was released by the Lions on Feb. 4.

“I mean, you can never foresee things like this,’’ Johnson said. “We just wish him the best, man. It’s unfortunate what he’s going through, but we’re praying for him.”

The Lions start OTAs (organized team activities) on Tuesday. They have several wide receivers on the roster and a wide-open opportunity with Young gone.

“The big thing is when we get on the field. I know we have a little bit, but we have a lot of new guys,’’ Johnson said. “Guys have done some things in the offseason to better themselves, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we look when we get on the field tomorrow.”

Johnson also confirmed on Monday that he played last season with broken fingers.

Detroit Lions: Five things to look for as OTAs start

Like 28 other NFL teams, the Detroit Lions will have OTAs (organized team activities) this week. The first session is on Tuesday.

No contact, no one-on-one drills and also no blocking, tackling, pass-rushing and bump-and-run situations. That’s all in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

They will be allowed 11-on-11 drills which will give us an initial idea of where some players might line up.

It’s not like training camp where the competition will be hot at a handful of positions. It is a start, though.

Here are five things to look for at OTAs:

1. Will be interesting to see top draft pick Ziggy Ansah line up against veterans. Expect to see him at right defensive end. He looked really quick off the end in rookie minicamp. Let’s see if that sticks against Riley Reiff.

2. Even though one-on-one drills matching defensive backs against wide receivers aren’t allowed, will get our first look at safety Glover Quin who signed as a free agent and should play opposite Louis Delmas. Not sure if we’ll see second-round pick cornerback Darius Slay. He had minor knee surgery a few weeks ago. He’ll be back sooner rather than later, but this might be a little too soon.

3. Of course, it’s early but we’ll get a look at whether Corey Hilliard or Jason Fox lines up at right tackle with the starters. It does not mean that guy will be the right tackle in September, but it’s a starting point.

4. Also will get a first look at the competition at wide receiver. Other than Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles (when he gets healthy) there are no absolutes to make the team. Should be great competition.

5. Reggie Bush in a Lions’ uniform. No doubt he seems excited to get going. Expect it will seem a little different seeing him in Honolulu blue and silver even though we’ve had two months to get used to the idea.

Detroit Lions' top 5 players in the mix to return kicks, punts

One thing is for certain the Detroit Lions wlll be looking for a player or players to win the kick returner and punt returner positions in training camp and preseason games. Stefan Logan was not re-signed.

Here are five of the top candidates in no particular order:

— Running back Joique Bell returned two kicks last season for a total of 54 yards. But he fumbled one of those returns. He only fumbled once on 82 carries, so he’s mostly sure-handed. He’ll definitely get a look.

— Wide receiver Mike Thomas, who arrived from Jacksonville via trade mid-season in 2012, returned kicks and punts for the Jaguars. To make the roster he’s likely going to have to contribute on special teams.

— Rookie running back Steven MIller tried to make the most of his chances at becoming a returner during rookie minicamp. He’s speedy, small (5-foot-7, 172 pounds), slippery and eager.

— Wide receiver Patrick Edwards did return kicks and punts at the University of Houston. Like Miller, he’s got the speed. Edwards’ problem in 2012 was staying healthy enough to be on the practice field every day. If he can stay healthy he should be in the running. (Shown in photo by Oakland Press photographer Vaughn Gurganian.)

— Rookie Theo Riddick was the primary kick returner for Notre Dame as a freshman. It’s likely one of the reasons the Lions grabbed him in the sixth round. He didn’t participate in return drills at rookie minicamp but coach Jim Schwartz said not to read anything into that.

Others could contribute also. Reggie Bush said he's game, but he hasn't returned punts since he was with the New Orleans Saints. Ryan Broyles was drafted to use in the return game, but for the second straight training camp he will be coming off ACL surgery.

Detroit Lions' 5 major changes on special teams

Special teams play for the Lions will have a completely new look for the 2013 season. Here are the five major special teams changes:

1. John Bonamego has been hired to replace Danny Crossman as special teams coordinator. Bonamego is a veteran with stops along the way at Green Bay, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Miami. He was with the Jaguars last season. New eyes, new ideas. Not a bad thing.

2. Jason Hanson retired after 21 seasons of being Mr. Dependable. There are fans who have never seen another placekicker on the field for the Lions. Veteran David Akers was signed to replace Hanson. He is coming off a lousy season in San Francisco, but could be a good replacement. Hanson wasn’t asked about Akers, but he offered his opinion that it was a good signing. We will see.

3. Kickalicious to the rescue. After signing Akers, the Lions signed Norwegian Havard Rugland, who is also known as Kickalicious because of a four-minute YouTube video displaying all his trick kicks. He’s never played football. At the rookie minicamp, he wore a helmet for the first time. Will be interesting to watch. Will the Lions keep him on for kickoffs only? Time will tell. Also another reason he was signed is that like Akers he is a lefty, which will make it easier for the holder.

4. Punting was a disaster last season. After Ben Graham was injured the Lions brought back Nick Harris who is a great guy but lacks the leg strength he used to have. They drafted Sam Martin in the fifth round and signed free agent punter Blake Clingan. They’ll battle it out in camp. Whoever wins will be another new face on the special teams roster.

5. Rumors of re-signing Kassim Osgood, a special teams specialist were out there. But it has not happened. He would be a huge loss. He excelled on all the units. He hasn’t signed anywhere else so maybe there’s a chance he’ll return. Keep up with him on Twitter @KassimOsgood81.

“Well, you know, they’ve become a little bit more similar. First of all, catching a kick is a lot different than catching a punt. It’s two different deliveries of the football. Catching a punt’s a lot more difficult. Catching a kick, that’s the easiest part of being a kick returner.

“But the way the rules have gone in the last couple years, getting rid of the wedge and some different things like that, you’re seeing more man blocking, which is what you see on punt return. So, rather than just sort of running full speed and taking that one cut that kick returners used to and the emphasis was on just a straight line guy who could take one cut and explode, you’re seeing guys pick and choose a little bit more. That’s more the skill of a punt returner.

“So, the guys are on them faster. They’re line up five yards quicker, they’re returning balls from deeper in the end zones and guys are on them quicker. So, that start-stop ability becomes a little more important. I think what you’re seeing is, you know, those skill sets are getting closer together just because of the rule changes.”

Detroit Lions: Five things learned at rookie minicamp

The Detroit Lions’ draft picks, along with undrafted signed free agents and try-outs completed a three-day rookie minicamp on Sunday.

Here are five things learned:

1. Ziggy Ansah is really quick off the edge. Yes, he was lined up against undrafted talent on the offensive line, but he was lightning fast — at the quarterback in a flash. No contact allowed, but he would have had several sacks. It’s early but the first look at the first-round pick was positive. Looks like the real deal. (Photo: Ansah during first day of camp by Vaughn Gurganian of The Oakland Press.)

2. With no contact, it is way too difficult to judge offensive line talent. But guard Larry Warford (third-round out of Kentucky) is one solid big specimen. No belly fat . In fact, he said his body fat was down to 24 percent. He lined up at right guard until he was dinged late in Saturday’s session. He worked individual drills only on Sunday. He could have gone, but coach Jim Schwartz like to err on the side of caution.

3. Both tight ends could find themselves on the 53-man roster. Michael Williams (seventh-round out of Alabama) and undrafted rookie free agent Joe Fauria (UCLA) mixed and matched throughout the minicamp. Fauria is 6-foot-7 and Williams 6-foot-6 could create interesting matchup problems. Fauria said he has a permanent chip on his shoulder because he wasn’t drafted and will do anything to make the roster. These two will push Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler (both in the last year of their contracts). Williams is known as more of a blocking tight end, but he can catch. Fauria, who is thin, excels more at catching and, in fact, lined up in his senior season as a slot receiver.

4. Steven Miller, undrafted running back out of Appalachian State, was buzzing on the field. He’s tiny at 5-foot-7 and 172, but is slippery when he’s running the ball. Loved the fact that during one return drill on Sunday he was making his way back to the group after his attempt, when he noticed the next guy up wasn’t paying attention. So Miller stepped right in and got an extra repetition. Guarantee you the coaches saw that on the field and on film.

5. Wide receiver Corey Fuller (sixth round out of Virginia Tech) is light on football experience, but he was one of the standouts of the weekend. He has size (6-foot-2) and speed. Last season he averaged 18 yards per catch at Virgnia Tech. Long way to go, but Lions need help at wide receiver. Fuller is off to a good start.

Joseph Fauria flashes at Detroit Lions' rookie minicamp

Tight end Joseph Fauria, an undrafted free agent who played at UCLA, flashed during Saturday’s rookie minicamp workout.

Fauria is 6-foot-7 so it’s hard to miss him. He led the Bruins with a dozen touchdown catches in 2012.

“From practice today you could see a lot of that carry over, a lot of times he was covered, but he was still open because he was so long and has such a big catching radius,’’ Schwartz said. “He has very soft hands for a big guy, there’s things he needs to work on — being more precise with routes, blocking and things like that — but he can certainly flash in the passing game.’’

Fauria, who wears No. 47, is one of two tight ends at this weekend’s camp. The other is seventh-round pick Michael Williams out of Alabama who is 6-foot-6.

The three-day rookie minicamp wraps up on Sunday. It is not open to the public.

Replay of live chat on the eve of Detroit Lions' rookie minicamp

If you missed it, here's a replay of my live chat on Thursday, the eve of Lions' rookie minicamp. It was a wide-open discussion. You shouldn't be surprised to know that offensive line was one of the topics. We'll chat at 3 p.m. next Thursday. Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche for details. If you have questions any time Tweet them to me. I do my best to answer them all. Thanks ...

“I didn’t talk to anybody, I didn’t call 32 GMs and try to get a seventh if (draft pick) or anything like that,’’ Mayhew said on Feb. 7. “It’s my job to know what his value is and he didn’t have any trade value.’’

Young was claimed off waivers in early February by the St. Louis Rams, but cut a few days later after he spent time with the team. Rams coach Jeff Fisher suggested that he would be a better fit for another NFL team.

Report: Detroit Lions' CB Darius Slay undergoes knee surgery

Cornerback Darius Slay, the second-round pick of the Detroit Lions, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He is expected to be ready for training camp in July.

Prior to the draft reports surfaced that Slay had a torn meniscus. This was not a secret to the Lions.

On draft night Slay said he was told he wouldn’t knee surgery. He tried to just shrug it off as no big deal.

Also at the draft the Lions said they expected Slay to participate in rookie minicamp which starts on Friday.

Slay, who played at Mississippi State, is expected to compete for the starting position opposite Chris Houston.

Detroit Lions sign 11 undrafted rookies including CMU's Cody Wilson

When the NFL draft is over, the fun is just beginning. That’s when NFL teams angle to sign the best of the undrafted rookies.

The Lions signed 11 of them this week and they will join the nine drafted rookies in minicamp May 10-12.

Included is wide receiver Cody Wilson from Central Michigan, who played on the same offense with first overall draft pick left tackle Eric Fisher.

Wilson, who played at Rochester Adams, is the son of Dave Wilson who is the long-time Lions’ team chaplain and the founding pastor of Kensington Church in Troy.

But it’s not his dad that got him in the door. Wilson ranks third in receptions (230) at Central Michigan and fifth in receiving yards (2,729). He tied the longest streak in the NCAA by catching a pass in 42 consecutive games.

Oddly enough with the signing of Miller and the drafting of punter Sam Martin, the Lions have more players on their roster from Appalachian State (two) than they do from either Michigan (none) or Michigan State (none).

The Lions also invited a few other players to the rookie minicamp including Richmond quarterback John Laub, a relative of Matt Millen; Kansas center Trevor Marrongelli, Marshall receiver/returner Andre Snipes-Booker and Delaware State receiver/returner Travis Tarpley.

The rookie minicamp is not open to the public, but the media (including me) will get our first look at all the Lions rookies wearing Honolulu blue and silver.

About Me

Paula Pasche, a veteran sports writer, covers the Lions for The Oakland Press. She has written a book, "100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" which is available at bookstores and on Amazon.com. She won first place for column writing from the Society of Professional Journalists in Detroit (Class B) in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was The Oakland Press 2010 Staffer of the Year.